NCAA declares Providence guard Ricky Ledo as partial qualifier

Providence, RI, United States (4E Sports) – The NCAA has declared Providence Friars freshman Ricky Ledo as partial qualifier, letting him practice with the team but will not see playing time this season.

The decision would make the 6-foot-6 Ledo eligible for the 2013-14 season as a redshirt freshman if he meets academic requirements with four years of eligibility remaining.

“Today the NCAA informed us that the eligibility waiver for Ricky Ledo has been partially approved and Ricky will be allowed to practice with the team but he can’t compete in games,” Cooley said in a statement.

“We are excited that Ricky has the opportunity (to) pursue his education and be part of the team. We believe that this gives us the chance to help him grow as an individual,” he added.

Ledo, a native of Providence and last went to South Kent (Conn.) School, welcomed the decision, saying it was a fulfillment of his dream to represent Providence.

“I am happy to be a student at Providence College. It has always been a dream of mine to represent PC and I am looking forward to my days as a student-athlete,” Ledo said.

Earlier, Cooley feared that Ledo’s academic past – including four different high schools in five years — would force the NCAA to rule him ineligible to even practice. Ledo also received offers from Connecticut and Syracuse and was once pursued by Kentucky and West Virginia.

Cooley has been planning to use the combination of Ledo and second-highest recruit, point guard Kris Dunn, to boost the Friars’ campaign in the Big East. Last year, Providence finished 4-14 in the Big East, 15-17 overall in his first season coaching in his hometown.

Dunn will not play in the non-conference portion of the Friars’ schedule due to torn labrum but Cooley expects him to be healthy in time for the Big East season in January.

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